How do you organize findings?
 

How do you store and organize your findings?

I don't have too many findings yet. Currently they are in a box in their original packaging or zip-lock bags. I try to keep the packaging with the findings so that I know what they are made of but I'm going to quickly outgrow this system (or lack thereof).

I have a few of the stackable organizers for beads in a few different shapes but they are hard to store. I'd like to have everything consolidated somewhere if I can.

I would like to add everything in my inventory software, be able to find it and identify it when I need it and trace it back for pricing.

Does anyone use a plastic parts cabinet like the link below? Does it work for you? Do you label the drawers? Do you reference them in software or on paper to find items?
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brows....jsp?locale=en

Other ideas or systems that work for you?

I use the plastic cabinet as in the link above. I have cabinet each for sterling silver, copper, bronze and gold-filled. Each drawer is label and coded.Also have one for pearls, gemstones. I have 8 total. Some of them I found at garage sales, Harbor Freight here in the states. If you will save the little packets out of vitamins for moisture. Put those packets in the drawer for sterling silver, Helps keep it from tarnishing so fast,in the drawers.
I love the system I have now. Each cabinet is label , gemstones, SS, copper ,etc.
Hope this helps.
Janet

I have these
 

I have a lot of findings.
I use these things:
http://www.harborfreight.com/24-divi...ner-94458.html
i started out about 5 years ago with one storage container for each color with the beads/findings out of the original packaging and a little piece of paper cut out from the packaging and I wrote out the price per item on it. However I have now advanced to placing same items in a plastic tiny bag in the containers. This is becasue I found that over the years things got mixed. Then I would spend too long looking for a particular item. So for example, have a container just for silver bead caps and same bead caps are in a tiny plastic resealable bag and the bag is labeled with the price per bead cap. It really works well for me

I use the same type of boxes, only most of mine are shimano tackle boxes. i like them b/c they have curved bottoms, making it easier to pick out your findings. if you search, you can get a set - 5 or 6 trays in their own carrying bag. walmart, bass pro, stores like that. :)

Have fun - it is an addiction, lol.

Jen

I use map cabinets and watch cases....
one side is crystals and stones
other side is sterling silver

wow, Dasi! I love those cabinets!

Dasi, those are gorgeous! I have cabinet envy! Where did you find them?

Dasi! I am so jealous! Your house looks so neat and beautiful too!

I want those cabinets too!

Thanks all.
google- map chest for the cabinet.

Here are the containers I use.

http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/pag...48&cat=1,43326

I like the 41mm and 48mm size.
the 33mm are a little small for anything.

I check the cabinet company but they are out of stock or I would put a link. They don't have it listed on the website.

wow Dasi, thats gorgeous

i use plastic jars that i bought when i had the shop, i must have bought 500 at the time so i'll never run out, i like the jars because i can select what i want to use and tuck myself up on the lounge in front of the tv with a tray

oh and i have enough findings to last me and 50 other people several years :roll:

Love the map cabinets!
Here's Carols...
http://www.lampworketc.com/forums/sh...5&postcount=55

I use cabinets like posted in first post. I have three. Labeled, though I still find myself opening and shutting drawers over and over looking for a certain item.

I use a couple of different tackle boxes

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/pr...12656837#green

And

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/pr...413993.4414792

I can just pick them up and sit in the family room or to meetings with friends.

Work great!

Sue

Lots of great ideas! I like that one, Sue.

In the event that I cannot pull off the absolutely stunning map cabinets of Dasi, I love the idea of the portability. I often work in my kitchen in front of the tv instead of in the basement dungeon where the torch is. It would be nice to be able to pack it all up and bring it downstairs.

I keep the little tins in the box so I can stack up the boxes that I need to use for the project and then put the box back in the drawer. Each box holds 12 tins....

I forgot to show this storage unit also. This becomes my work station when I have a show coming up and I need to create finished jewelry. It is my living room coffee table with lift top and storage. The back has a pull out drawer too. Both sides have drawers also. 6 drawers and storage inside that I put my bead assemble trays in. I love that it becomes a desk.

Dasi that coffee table is the BOMB!

I use different things, but I have a lot of these. Love them.

http://www.harborfreight.com/multi-c...box-40528.html

Love that! Awesome idea! I'm considering putting a jeweler's bench in my livi g room but that is way better. Much more stylish too.

I use divided drawers that are clear. There's about 33 small 8 large in each case. I have 3 hanging above my work table. Labeled for contents. Purchased at Lowe's not too pricey, they are in the tool section.

I use the one in your original post for my findings. 95% of mine are sterling, so I keep the copper and gold only in a couple of drawers (my larger chain I keep in awesome little boxes from Ikea http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/80098583/). I use the largers drawers for other things like gemstone and shell pendants, watch faces etc... The smaller ones are organized by type (i.e. toggles, other clasps, earwires, rounds, rondelles etc...).
I also have 4 of the larger 60-drawer ones (http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brows....jsp?locale=en) that I use for my beads, crystals etc... I've got one for handmade lampwork, one for gemstones, one for Swarovski and overflow and the last for commercial glass.

I love them! They've worked really well for me and they transport fairly easily. The great things about the drawers is you can easily switch them up between cabinets if needed. A few of my shows I've compacted my necessities into one cabinet and brought it with me so I can work while I'm there and offer custom on-the-spot pieces.

I was at my local Lowe's today and stumbled across some small plastic storage boxes that might fit the needs of some people. Although the website link above shows them at $3.48 each, they were clearance priced in the store at only $2 apiece. I bought 4 of them, then when I got home started kicking myself for not buying more. (I'll be going back tomorrow.) They are nice little boxes for beads, findings, nuts and bolts, etc. They also look like they'd make a nice tackle box for those like me who like to travel small and light for fishing ponds and streams.

The boxes are 8x8 inches overall, and with all of the included removable dividers installed have (12) 2x2 inch compartments and (1) 4 inch square compartment. With the dividers removed there are (3) 2x2 inch, (1) 2x4 inch, (1) 6x2 inch, (1) 8x2 inch, and (1) 4x4 inch compartments.

I think this is a killer deal for the price. Since they are being clearanced, stock and price are likely to vary store by store.

Brad

I store a lot in old DVD boxes I picked up for .50 each when our local BlockBusters closed.

Great ideas. Keep them coming! I'm still drooling over the map cabinets, myself.

So far, I've gone with plastic boxes with fixed dividers. They have 25 compartments each and I have 10 of them. They are roughly organized by material. I like their portability (they came with a case to carry 5 of them in) but I don't like that I can't take out a specific box or drawer. I have each compartment identified with a location which is entered into my inventory software.

I bought this recently from Ikea and now have it set up in the kitchen. Much better to make jewelry upstairs than in the basement studio. I love it because when I'm done working, the desktop folds up and the mess is hidden rather than taking up my kitchen table. Lots of storage too.

Anyone try the 'assorted bead storage" system that is sold at fire mountain gems?
http://www.firemountaingems.com/itemdetails/H203075PK

I am in LOVE (and not a small bit of lust ;) ) with Dasi's furniture....

This is fantastic! May I ask where you can find such a coffee table??